Sustainable Design - Department of Design and Construction

Since its inception, the Department has placed a priority on identifying and implementing cost-effective ways to promote greater environmental responsibility in building design. In 1999, the Department published DDCs High Performance Building Guidelines [PDF], an internationally recognized green building reference. A companion piece for roadway and underground infrastructure, the High Performance Infrastructure Guidelines [PDF], was published in October 2005 and was one of the first of its kind in the world. Both guidelines were made possible through the generous funding and guidance provided by the Design Trust for Public Space.

While the Building Guidelines were in development, DDC launched a pilot program to incorporate sustainable features on several projects. By early 2008, more than 60 projects incorporating sustainable strategies are in design or construction, or have been built. Local Law 86 of 2005, the NYC green building law, requires about half of these projects to achieve a minimum of 20% energy cost and water savings, as well as a LEED Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. These requirements ensure that many of the City’s new municipal buildings, additions and renovations meet rigorous standards of sustainability. For more information regarding the LEED rating system, refer to the USGBC website and the USGBC New York Local Chapter site.

The guidelines are supplemented with a series of in-depth manuals. Completed to date and posted on this site are a Manual for Cool Roofing [PDF], a Manual for Quality Energy Efficient Lighting [PDF], a Geothermal Manual [PDF], a Construction and Demolition Waste Manual [PDF], and a Manual on Local Law 77, the Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel Law [PDF].

To facilitate the transition to sustainable design, the Department offers a training program for DDC staff through its Office of Sustainable Design. The program covers legal requirements and goals, the design manuals, and related project design precedents.

THIS WEBSITE

DDC established this site to disseminate City-specific information on sustainable design and provide resources for its managers, consultants, and client agencies. The resources include detailed descriptions and illustrations for a sampling of our sustainable projects, including LEED projects, and links to relevant documents, publications and forms. Also included are PowerPoint presentations from our training program.

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